N-bromobutanimide → Methyl 5-bromo-2-(1-bromoethyl)benzoate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

Add N-bromosuccinimide (1090 g, 6.12 mol) and 2,2′-azo-bis-isobutyronitrile (11.4 g, 0.069 mol) to a 20° C. solution of methyl 5-bromo-2-ethylbenzoate (1296 g, 5.33 mol) in carbon tetrachloride (7 L). Heat to reflux for 4 hours, cool to 20-30° C. and wash with water (10 L), extract the aqueous phase with dichloromethane (5 L), combine the organic layers, and wash with water (10 L), Na2SO3 (5 L) and saturated aqueous sodium chloride. Dry with sodium sulfate, filter, and evaporate under reduced pressure to give the title compound as a pale yellow solid (1791 g, 104% crude). ES/MS m/z: 241 (M−HBr).

Provenance & Evidence